6 die, 13 hurt in Mindanao road mishap

COTABATO CITY, Philippines — Six persons died while 13 others were injured in a smashup involving three vehicles in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte on Sunday.

The fatalities were identified as Norhaimen Baladek, Bomber Gani, Manaut Guialudin, Unasan Kaul, Kaidu Manalasal and Mamakong Salimbao.

Kaul and his passengers Baladek and Guialudin were in a Toyota Hi-Ace van that collided with a pickup truck along the Cotabato-Isulan Highway in Barangay Gubat. They died at the scene, according to Maj. Regie Albellera, chief of the Datu Odin Sinsuat police.

Gani, who was driving a Toyota Hilux pickup, and his passengers Manalasal and Salimbao died while being treated in a hospital, Abellera said.

Reports said the pickup first hit a tricycle before it crashed into the van.

The impact threw the van onto a farm about three meters down the road.